How to Run Level 10 Meetings™ That Actually Work

If you're like most business leaders, you've probably sat through your fair share of unproductive meetings. You know the ones—meetings that start late, go off-topic, end without clear action items, and leave everyone wondering why they were called in the first place.

The average executive spends 23 hours per week in meetings, and 71% of them say those meetings are unproductive. That's a massive waste of time and money.

This is exactly why Level 10 Meetings™ were created as part of the EOS® system.

What is a Level 10 Meeting™?

A Level 10 Meeting™ is a structured, 90-minute weekly meeting that follows a proven agenda designed to keep your leadership team aligned, accountable, and focused on what matters most.

The "Level 10" refers to the rating system used to evaluate meeting effectiveness. A Level 10 Meeting™ should feel like a 10 out of 10—productive, engaging, and valuable for everyone involved.

The Level 10 Meeting™ Structure

The meeting follows a specific agenda with time allocations:

5 minutes: Segue

Personal updates and team building
Set the tone for a productive meeting

5 minutes: Scorecard Review

Review your key metrics from the past week
Identify what's on track and what needs attention

10 minutes: Rock Review

Check progress on your quarterly priorities (Rocks)
Celebrate wins and address obstacles

5 minutes: Customer/Employee Headlines

Share important updates about customers and employees
Keep everyone informed about key relationships

60 minutes: Issues List

Identify, discuss, and solve the most important issues
Use the Issues Solving Track™ to reach decisions

5 minutes: Conclude

Rate the meeting effectiveness (1-10 scale)
Confirm next steps and action items

Why Traditional Meetings Fail

Most meetings fail because they lack:

Structure

Without a clear agenda, meetings become free-for-alls where the loudest voice wins.

Time Management

Meetings that run over schedule waste time and create frustration.

Accountability

Without clear action items and follow-up, nothing gets done.

Focus

Meetings that cover too many topics accomplish nothing.

Participation

When only one person talks, the team disengages.

The Level 10 Meeting™ Difference

Level 10 Meetings™ solve these problems by providing:

Clear Structure

Every meeting follows the same proven agenda, so everyone knows what to expect.

Strict Time Management

Each agenda item has a time limit, keeping meetings focused and efficient.

Built-in Accountability

Every issue gets assigned to someone with a deadline.

Focused Discussion

The Issues List ensures you're solving the most important problems first.

Equal Participation

Everyone has a voice and contributes to the discussion.

How to Implement Level 10 Meetings™

Step 1: Set Up Your Meeting Infrastructure

Before your first Level 10 Meeting™, you need:

A Scorecard with 5-15 key metrics
Quarterly Rocks (priorities) for each team member
An Issues List to track problems and solutions
A meeting facilitator to keep things on track

Step 2: Train Your Team

Make sure everyone understands:

The meeting structure and time allocations
How to use the Issues Solving Track™
The importance of preparation and participation
How to rate meeting effectiveness

Step 3: Start Small

Begin with your leadership team and:

Hold your first meeting following the exact structure
Rate the meeting at the end
Identify what worked and what needs improvement
Commit to continuous improvement

Step 4: Scale Up

Once your leadership team is comfortable:

Train other teams in your organization
Create cascading meetings throughout the company
Ensure all meetings follow the same principles

The Issues Solving Track™

The heart of every Level 10 Meeting™ is the Issues List discussion. To solve issues effectively, follow the Issues Solving Track™:

1. Identify the Issue

Clearly state what the problem is and why it matters.

2. Discuss the Issue

Allow everyone to share their perspective and insights.

3. Solve the Issue

Brainstorm solutions and reach a decision.

4. Assign Accountability

Who will do what by when?

5. Follow Up

Check progress at the next meeting.

Common Level 10 Meeting™ Mistakes

Skipping the Segue

The personal connection at the beginning is crucial for team building.

Not Preparing

Come to the meeting with your updates and issues ready.

Ignoring the Timer

Respect the time allocations to keep meetings focused.

Not Rating the Meeting

The rating system helps you improve meeting effectiveness over time.

Avoiding Tough Issues

The Issues List is where you solve your biggest problems—don't avoid them.

Measuring Meeting Success

Track these metrics to ensure your Level 10 Meetings™ are working:

Meeting ratings (should average 8+ out of 10)
Issue resolution rate (should be 80%+)
Rock completion rate (should be 80%+)
Scorecard performance (should show improvement)
Team satisfaction (should increase over time)

The MeetingTango Advantage

While Level 10 Meetings™ are powerful, implementing them manually can be challenging. That's why MeetingTango includes built-in Level 10 Meeting™ tools:

Structured Agenda

Our platform provides the exact Level 10 Meeting™ structure with timers and prompts.

Issues Tracking

Easily add, discuss, and track issues with built-in accountability.

Scorecard Integration

Your weekly metrics automatically populate for easy review.

Rock Management

Track quarterly priorities and their progress over time.

Meeting History

Keep a record of all meetings, decisions, and action items.

Real Results from Level 10 Meetings™

Companies that implement Level 10 Meetings™ typically see:

50% reduction in meeting time
80% improvement in issue resolution
Better team alignment and communication
Faster decision-making and execution
Increased accountability across the organization

Getting Started

Ready to transform your meetings? Here's how to get started:

Learn the structure - Understand each component of the Level 10 Meeting™
Prepare your tools - Set up your Scorecard, Rocks, and Issues List
Train your team - Make sure everyone understands the process
Start with one meeting - Don't try to change everything at once
Commit to improvement - Use the rating system to get better over time

Conclusion

Level 10 Meetings™ aren't just another meeting format—they're a fundamental shift in how you run your business. By providing structure, accountability, and focus, they transform meetings from time-wasters into productivity boosters.

The key is consistency. Stick to the structure, respect the time limits, and focus on solving your most important issues. Over time, your meetings will become more effective, your team will be more aligned, and your business will run more smoothly.

Ready to run your first Level 10 Meeting™? Start your free trial of MeetingTango and get access to all the tools you need to make your meetings truly productive.